Veterans News & Events | February 14, 2017

Veterans News & Events | February 14, 2017

(Please Note: The Veterans News compiled and transmitted by Wayne M. Gatewood, Jr., USMC (Ret), does not endorse the views and/or facts presented, or any commercial products that may be advertised or available on external links. The presence of a link to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of that site, or the views or privacy policies contained therein).

MilitaryTimes’- Former Secretary of Defense and Vietnam Veteran, Chuck Hagel Shares A Story On How a Courageous Man in Vietnam Helped Break Racial Barriers. Sent in by our fellow Veteran, MSgt Rob Wilkens, USAF (Ret), now at History Net – Military Times – Defense News. http://www.militarytimes.com/video/chuck-hagel-racial-barriers-in-vietnam

Second Announcement – Collaboration Network Engineer: IMMEDIATE NEED! Getting this out here for my good friend and our fellow Veteran, Ms. Thu Stubbs, former Captain, U.S Army. Thu is currently the President and CEO of Technical Science Corporation, a SDVOSB http://www.techscicorp.com/ Qualified Veterans are encouraged to apply. The Collaboration Network Engineer shall have at a minimum Cisco CCNA Collaboration Certification or Higher OR previous CCNA Voice Certification. Must have current TS and be eligible for special access; no exceptions. For more information and to apply go here…

Veterans Day Poster: Each year, the VA’s National Veterans Outreach Office, in conjunction with the Veterans Day National Committee, publishes a commemorative Veterans Day poster (https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp). The poster is selected from artwork submitted by artists nationwide and is distributed to VA facilities, military installations around the world, and across cities and towns in our nation. It also serves as the cover of the official program for the Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery. Over the years, these posters have illustrated the rich history of our country’s service men and women. The poster clearly reflects our pride and patriotism in saluting Veterans while providing the thematic artistry for the year. Review the submission guidelines at http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/34903/calling-artist-national-veterans-day-poster-contest-now-way/.

The deadline for submissions is April 15. A selection committee will convene in May 2017 to review submissions and make a final selection. Direct any questions to the Veterans Day coordinator at vetsday@va.gov, or read more at https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/.

Stars and Stripes Trump thanks Japan for hosting US military bases. President Donald Trump thanked Japan’s prime minister Friday for hosting U.S. military bases and described the U.S.-Japanese alliance as critical in the Pacific at a time of growing concern over North Korea’s nuclear threat.

Stars and Stripes Does the White House stand by Michael Flynn? ‘That’s a question for the president’. President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn faced strong criticism on Sunday for allegedly discussing U.S. sanctions against Russia with that country’s ambassador to the United States, with even a top White House official declining to say whether the president stands by the former general.

Associated Press White House declines to publicly defend embattled Flynn. A top White House aide sidestepped repeated chances Sunday to publicly defend embattled national security adviser Michael Flynn following reports that he engaged in conversations with a Russian diplomat about U.S. sanctions before Trump’s inauguration.

Washington Post Pentagon journal explores what could happen if a president called for Muslim internment camps. The Jan. 26 publication of the essay came at a particularly sensitive time for the Pentagon, which bans engaging in “partisan political activity.” Senior defense officials were caught by surprise by President Trump’s temporary travel ban a day later, which was signed in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes along with another order to improve military readiness. The travel restrictions are being contested in federal court.

Task and Purpose The Army Wants To Recruit Cyber Experts By Hiring Civilians At Rank Of Colonel. The Army is looking at ways to commission civilian experts who could help fill some of its capability gaps. Civilians with expertise in cybersecurity could be directly commissioned into the Army with a rank up to colonel to help the service improve its expanding cyber domain operations under a Pentagon pilot program authorized in recent weeks

USNI News Marines Seek to Arm MV-22 Osprey, Improve Harvest Hawk System. The Marine Corps continues to pursue lethality upgrades to its new aircraft, even as the service is still in the midst of recapitalizing its tactical aviation platforms, the deputy commandant for aviation told reporters on Wednesday.

Chicago Tribune An Iranian veteran of the U.S. Marines, feeling tested. I am a U.S. Marine veteran, a sergeant of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Machine Gunner, Weapons Platoon, Golf Company. Before that, I served a year standing guard on the towers at Guantanamo Bay, watching the minefields and recording every instance of a Cuban truck driving in the distance. I enlisted in 1997 because I was grateful to the nation that had opened its doors and given me opportunities and freedoms that my Iranian relatives were not given under the oppressive regime of the ayatollah. I owed something to this country, and I was proud to do my due.

Stars and Stripes Easing transition to Air Force life. When a young airman is assigned to his or her first base after graduating from basic training and technical school, it can be a somewhat daunting experience.

The Washington Times (AP): Trump’s pick for health and human secretary takes office. President Donald Trump’s new health secretary took office Friday after becoming the latest Cabinet nominee to eke out a confirmation victory in the bitterly divided Senate. Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office to Tom Price, of Georgia, at the White House hours after the Senate confirmed him 52-47 in a party-line vote.

Stars and Stripes: Lawmakers attempt action on24 VA facilities in limbo. A handful of lawmakers is again making attempts to open 24 new Department of Veterans Affairs facilities across the country, some of which have been held up by Congress for two years. The VA must receive congressional approval to lease medical facilities with annual rent payments totaling more than $1 million, according to federal law.

ABC News (AP): The Latest: Trump, Trudeau to Confer on Women in Workforce. President Donald Trump is hoping to have more members of his Cabinet on board this week – if the Republican-controlled Senate acts as expected. Senators are to vote Monday evening on banker Steven Mnuchin (mih-NOO’-chin), Trump’s pick to lead the Treasury Department, and Obama administrator holdover David Shulkin to be promoted to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Fayetteville Observer: Tillis, Klobuchar introduce legislation to help troops exposed to toxic burn pits. Legislation introduced last week would compel the Department of Veterans Affairs to look more closely at the affects toxic burn pits have had on the nation’s veterans. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act on Tuesday.

The Washington Times (AP): Man Struck, Killed By Snowplow in VA Parking Lot. A man has been struck and killed by a snowplow in the parking lot of a Veterans Affairs hospital in Massachusetts. Officials say the 60-year-old man was hit Sunday evening in the parking lot of the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He’s believed to be a resident of the VA property. Officials have not released his name.

Leavenworth Times: In-Depth: Suicide prevention resources available. A solider died as a result of suicide Jan. 19 on Fort Leavenworth. No details have been made available by officials at the Army installation. The incident is under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Command, according to Jeff Wingo, public affairs officer at the U.S. Army Garrison.

The Post and Courier: A magnetic device that threats depression is now in clinical use at the VA hospital in Charleston. For many with depression, treatment can mean a frustrating and expensive cycle of medications and therapies. But a team at the VA hospital in Charleston has brought its patients a step closer to successfully treating the disease with magnets. Dr. Mark George, a VA doctor and a leading researcher in “transcranial magnetic stimulation,” brought a specialized magnetic device into clinical use at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center on Feb. 2.

Stars and Stripes: Volunteers needed for 1st clinical trail of smoked marijuana symptoms. Researchers started this week the first-ever clinical trial of marijuana for treating the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. The trial will test four potencies of smoked marijuana and their effects to manage PTSD symptoms in 76 veterans, according to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Approved by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration, the study is intended to develop marijuana into a legal prescription drug.

Daily Press: VA hosting Warrior to Soul Mate retreat. The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center will be hosting a Warrior to Soul Mate Retreat for couples in Escanaba March 4-5, 2017. Warrior to Soul Mate is a new program that provides hope and renewal to relationships impacted by military service, deployments, and war. It is free of charge for both the Veteran and his or her significant other including hotel and meals.

CNN (Video): After ICE arrests, fear spreads among undocumented immigrants. Some veterans — green card holders who served in Iraq and Afghanistan — did not go through the entire process of becoming citizens. Many returned to the United States with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Some got hooked on illegal drugs and ended up with felony drug convictions. They now face deportation. KPCC (NPR-89.3): Nowhere to go: LA’s rental market continues to squeeze homeless programs. Homeless services providers say L.A.’s rental market has gone from bad to worse in just the past few months—and that’s brought a standstill to efforts to get people off the street quickly. “We used to be able to house people in a month, now for some of our families it’s taking nine months,” said Cristina Nieto, senior manager of housing services for HOPICS, a placement agency in South Los Angeles.

WPRI (CBS-12, Video): Disabled Veterans discover powerful option to rejoin workforce. Pat Golden served 20 years in the Navy, getting rocked and rolled on a number of ships that served around the world. “You can get thrown out of your rack at sea,” Golden said. “You can slip on a deck. You can bang your head on a valve.” His service included one unforgettable September morning, when he was docked in New Jersey.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: State director of VA hands in his notice after accusations of lowered morale. Matt Snead, the governor-appointed director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, tendered his resignation Friday, citing improvements within the agency and his need for a break. The resignation came two years to the day after he was appointed to lead the agency that had been plagued by controversies at its two veterans nursing homes.

CNN Veterans unite for second ‘deployment’ against Dakota Access Pipeline. The Veterans Stand group is once again raising funds for protesters who have been fighting construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. So far, the GoFundMe effort for the new campaign has raised $186,767 of the $500,000 goal, according to the group’s GoFundMe page. The funds will go toward supplies for the North Dakota protest camp, transportation of veterans to and from Standing Rock Indian Reservation and operations. The Facebook page sites increased “turmoil and uncertainty” as a motivation to continue efforts.

The Orange County Register: Interior designer gives homes and hope to wounded warriors. Tears welled up in Jorge Garcia’s eyes as he watched his two-year-old daughter, Faith, dash through their newly furnished apartment. She bounded onto the linen-colored sofa and climbed atop a dining room chair. She ran to her brand new white wooden bed and pointed at its matching nightstand. She flung herself onto a magenta bedspread and stared in amazement at colorful decals adorning the walls.

WJON (CMN-1240): Thank A Veteran With A Letter, Volunteering. Have you taken the time to thank a Veteran lately? This is “National Salute to Veteran Patients” week. It is held annually during the week of Valentine’s Day. It runs Sunday through Saturday. St. Cloud VA officials say it’s your opportunity to express gratitude to Veterans, as well as learn how you and your group can volunteer to help Veterans in our community.

Stars and Stripes Pentagon launches effort to solve a baffling WWII mystery. The Pentagon is launching efforts to solve a baffling World War II mystery: whether dozens of U.S. sailors listed as missing from a ship disaster were actually recovered and buried all along as unknowns in a New York cemetery.

Registration Underway for Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) Mission Healthy Relationship Skills Course, February 17-19, 2017, Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) has space available for its upcoming Mission Healthy Relationship Skills Course to be held February 17-19, in Charlottesville at the Holiday Inn, 1901, Emmet St N. This course serves military veterans and spouses coping with the impact of deployment, military service, post-traumatic stress, operational stress or traumatic brain injury. Full details may be obtained in the attached flyer or clickhere. Questions? Contact Rochelle Clark-Alexander, 540-684-7822 or ralexander@rappahannockareacsb.org. Submitted by Ms. Tina Parlett-Calhoun, Director of Communications, Virginia Department of Veterans Services, 101 North 14th Street, 17th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.

U.S. Commerce Department’s “Veterans-only” Trade Mission to Vietnam & Singapore scheduled for March 6 through 10, 2017. Please pass along. Thanks to our good friend Colonel Ray Jardine, U.S. Army (Ret) in Hawaii, and amazing Veterans Advocate for getting this word to us. Aloha Ray and thanks! Go here to learn more and to register: https://build.export.gov/main/trademissions/ictasean/index.asp

2017 Veterans in Business Conference – 12th year. Registration is open for Sponsors, Exhibitors and General Admission. Thursday, March 23, 2017, 7:45am – 3:30pm, Army-Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 http://www.veteransbusinessconference.org/ Presented by the Veterans Business Outreach Center, Community Business Partnership, A Sponsored Program of the GMU Mason Enterprise Center

Women Veterans Alliance 3-day Spring Unconference “Nourish Your Soul” March 24 – 26, 2017, Sacramento, California. For more information:http://www.womenveteransalliance.org/events/unconference/ Women Veterans Alliance in partnership with our nonprofit partner California Capital Financial Development Corporation will be hosting the Women Veterans Alliance Unconference. These 3 day events are the largest outreach to women Veterans in California that will provide resources and an amazing experience for all women that served from WWII to current, representing all branches. Our goal is to equip, empower, and encourage participants by providing opportunities to connect with service providers, fellow women Veterans, employers, and through interactive workshops.

Disabled Veteran Business Alliance (DVBA) SoCal Construction Expo, Tuesday March 28, 2017 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Socal Construction Expo combines networking, business, information sharing, personal access to government and corporate contracting officials, and success celebration in an action packed one-day event designed for the full range of business owners from novice to experienced entrepreneur. We invite Veteran and Disabled Veteran business owners as well as any veterans separating from the service in the near future who might be thinking about working in, starting a new business or buying a business in the construction industry. For more information and to register go here.

See exhibitor and attendee rates. Visit www.fbcinc.com/procurement for more information and updates. The Conference is a national conference fostering business partnerships between the Federal Government, its prime contractors, and small, minority, service-disabled veteran-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and women-owned businesses. Now in its 27th year, the Government Procurement Conference has become the premier event for small businesses throughout the United States. Participating firms will have the benefit of marketing their products/services to procurement representatives and small business specialists from government agencies. Companies may choose to set up an exhibit table to showcase their capabilities or simply come as an attendee. The conference also includes educational conference sessions, procurement matchmaking, and a dynamic exhibitor showcase.

National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) VETS-17, June 12 – 14, 2017, Norfolk Waterside Marriott in Norfolk VA. A great Business Development Conference created by Veterans for Veterans. Early Bird registration is now through March 31st. Pay now, save now! The Waterside Marriott in Norfolk, Virginia always sells out quickly. NSSBC does not have other hotels contracted, so if you want the convenience of staying at the Riverside Marriott, please consider booking ASAP. Go here for more scoop and to register: http://www.veterantrainingsymposium.com/Hope See you folks there!